Mosely watched Thieneman come up with an interception in last year’s season finale against Indiana, a game the walk-on safety started.

“I’m trying to steal a little bit of his game from him. For some reason, he knows how to get a pick,” said Mosely, who was Thieneman’s roommate prior to the Old Oaken Bucket matchup.

No doubt, Mosely was paying attention last Friday when the 6-foot-1 Thieneman had two interceptions during the team’s second open practice.

Despite limited opportunities, Thieneman has shown the ability to find the ball, a trait that hasn’t gone unnoticed by head coach Jeff Brohm.

“That’s what you want from a safety – a guy that can put his eyes on the quarterback, read and feel route combinations and anticipate where the ball is going and break on it and not second-guess himself,” Brohm said.

As of Tuesday, Thieneman remains in contention for a starting spot. Free safety or strong safety. Purdue’s top four safeties – Thieneman, Mosley, junior college transfer T.J. Jallow and redshirt freshman Simeon Smiley – are rotating between the first and second team and also positions.

After five training camp practices, no one is sure how this will end. They're all expected to see playing time against Louisville in the season opener but determining the top two will take longer to decide.

"Don't have any," co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter, who oversees the safeties, said when asked who was at the top of the depth chart. "It's like a melting pot. We'll see. We've got to have some scrimmages, we've got to see who can perform."

Now a junior, Thienemen came to Purdue to study mechanical engineering and continue his football career. He knew the obstacles of trying to find playing time as a walk-on, especially at a Big Ten program.

A couple of FCS programs and NCAA Division III schools were interested in the Guerin Catholic graduate, but Thinemen opted for the bigger stage with no guarantees.

“I knew exactly what I was getting into,” said Thieneman, who appeared in 11 games last season. “I had no illusions about that. I don’t shy away from a challenge. I’m always pushing myself. I wanted to prove to myself I could come here and play.”

He called the starting assignment against Indiana “phenomenal,” especially in front of his family. Part of his family – younger brother, Brennan – is a redshirt freshman safety with the Boilermakers.

The change in coaches created an uneasy feeling. He had put in the work to impress the previous staff and now Jacob Thieneman had to prove himself once again.

“I was worried about that,” he said. “Even scholarship guys, they have to worry about that, too. I tried to focus on what I could control, which is how hard I worked.”

Safeties are the quarterbacks of the defense. They’re responsible for making sure everyone is lined up properly and being in the right position to make plays. If there are breakdowns in front of them, the safeties have to clean it up.

This year’s defensive scheme should benefit the group, switching from mostly man coverage to zone.

“I think this defense puts the safeties in better position to make plays,” Thieneman said.

Despite changes on the coaching staff and an injury during spring practice, Mosely believes Thieneman has continued his momentum from the end of last season.